Question & AnswerQ&A (DOJ DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 48)
Section 47 (a) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940), authorizes the President to waive immigration requirements and admit aliens as non-immigrants for a temporary period where public interest so warrants.
The Secretary of Justice, or their duly authorized representative, was transferred authority over immigration matters including waiver of visas, except deportation matters. The Chief State Counsel is designated as the authorized signatory for Section 47 (a) (2) Visa indorsements.
Eligible categories include supervisors, specialists, consultants, contractors, personal staff in registered enterprises; employees of enterprises with government agreements; exchange professors, scholars, trainees, participants, students, fellows, social workers sponsored by recognized organizations; registered volunteers; and dependents of such foreign nationals.
They must submit a notarized DOJ General Application Form and Checklist, sworn certification and undertaking by the sponsor company, recommendations from relevant entities, favorable recommendation from PEZA or BOI if applicable, authenticated passport copies, certificate of registration of the sponsoring company, and contracts or agreements.
Applicants must submit a notarized DOJ General Application Form and Checklist, sworn certification by the sponsoring organization, authenticated passport with admissions stamps and re-entry permits if needed, contracts or agreements between the local sponsor and the foreign national, appointment letters, and acceptance of appointment by the foreign national.
Dependents can apply either separately or jointly with the principal foreign national by submitting notarized requests, sworn affidavits guaranteeing support and confirming absence of derogatory records, documentary requirements and visa approval of the principal, valid passports, marriage contracts, and birth certificates for minor children.
Fees are P6,000 for change of admission status and visa extension, P5,000 for implementation or revalidation, and P3,000 for inclusion of dependents.
The processing period from filing the application to implementation by the Bureau of Immigration shall not exceed ten (10) working days.